The Bellanwila-Attidiya Wildlife Sanctuary covers 3.72 sq. km and represents one of the last remaining protected wetland wildernesses located in the Colombo Metropolitan Area, which is the only capital city in the world to be recognised as a Ramsar Wetland City. This Wildlife Sanctuary was officially demarcated, declared, and gazetted as a Protected Area (PA) on 25 of July 1990 (as per Extraordinary Gazette No. 620/9).
Despite a dangerous number of illegal activities continuously taking place here, as well as continued encroachment by illicit settlements, Bellanwila-Attidiya still plays host to endangered species such as the Sri Lankan Saltwater Crocodile, the Fishing Cat, the Painted Stork, along with another 17 mammalian and 166 avian species. This Wildlife Sanctuary also contains fragmented patches of a critically threatened Forest Type, which is classified as a “Lowland Tropical Freshwater Swamp Forest”.
Extinction Rebellion Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan chapter of a global environmental movement with the stated aim of using nonviolent civil disobedience to compel government action to avoid tipping points in the climate system, biodiversity loss, and the risk of social and ecological collapse, hosted a discussion on Attidiya Wetland Sanctuary’s biodiversity and legal status. Participating in the discussion held on 26 April was Environmentalist and Attorney-at-law Dr. Jagath Gunawardana.
The effect on biodiversity
The discussion started off with Dr. Gunawardana explaining why the sanctuary was gazetted. “This order was made because of a request made by young people as a voluntary effort without any funds or aid from any government or non-government organisation.”
He explained that the sanctuary was known as a bird habitat for a long time, but the study was enlarged to include 42 species of fish, 37 species of dragonflies (which has now increased to 40), 72 species of butterflies, plants, reptiles and mammals. After this study was created, a successful effort was made to convince the wildlife department to make the area into a sanctuary because of its biological diversity value, its value as an urban wetland, and it was also a very well-known flood detention area.
After continuous study of the area, it was shown that eight species of birds that are free-flying in the zoo also use this area for their feeding and nesting purposes. In addition, a large number of birds use the area for night roosting, and nesting and feeding purposes. It was proven that the area was of much importance as a wildlife habitat.
Due to urbanisation, villages and surrounding towns are losing trees and habitats for other animals, making this sanctuary important to these animals that are losing their homes, so if the wetland is destroyed, it is highly likely that many species will go extinct.
“This sanctuary will be the last refuge for the animals and plants in the area. The surrounding area that was at a point, marshes and grasslands are now being converted into residential areas, it is very important that the remaining area be kept as it is for humans, because it is the only greenery that can purify the air. If the area is cleared, the villages will experience flash floods if there is ever heavy rain.” Dr. Gunawaradana emphasised that wherever towns expand, it is essential to leave green areas as they are necessary for the towns to prevail safely.
The legal aspect
Moving on to the legalities, Dr. Gunawardana stated that there are human settlements within the sanctuaries boundaries, adding that inside a sanctuary there can be both state land and private land. “Many people hosted weddings in privately-owned areas, which is allowed, but there are restrictions when it comes to building residential blocks. If they are to go ahead with it, they will require approval from both the Department of Wildlife Conservation and the Municipal Council.”
He also added that if one wished to build a commercial venture, it would require them to do some filling, which would then further require them to receive permission from the Central Environmental Authority and the Wildlife Department. They will also be required to perform an environmental impact assessment.
So any commercial venture that would require filling up of the land can only be carried out only after these steps have been followed. He concluded that legal settlers in the area have a certain number of privileges that they are entitled to, but illegal settlers are restricted under the provisions of various ordinances.
